Self-cleaning spray deflector

ABSTRACT

A self-cleaning spray deflector intended primarily for sprinklers in which a shaft is mounted in front of the spray nozzle and journals an oscillating spray deflector having slots exposing the shaft and positioned to direct a portion of the water issuing from the nozzle against the shaft to flush particles which might prevent free rotation.

United States Patent Costa 51 Apr. 25, 1972 [541 SELF-CLEANING SPRAY DEFLECTOR [72] Inventor: Robert B. Costa, Covina, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp., Glendora,

Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 75,932

[52] U.S. Cl ..239/230, 239/231 [51] Int. Cl. ..B05b 3/02, BOSb 3/14 [58] Field of Search ..239/230, 231,232, 233

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,309,025 3/1967 Malcolm ..239/230 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, J 1'. Assistant Examiner-Edwin D. Grant Att0rneyLyon and Lyon [57] ABSTRACT A self-cleaning spray deflector intended primarily for sprinklers in which a shaft is mounted in front of the spray nozzle and journals an oscillating spray deflector having slots exposing the shaft and positioned to direct a portion of the water issuing from the nozzle against the shaft to flush particles which might prevent free rotation.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPMS m2 3. 658,252

INVENTOR. @1358 7' 5T ['05 7 BY 4 77'0/2 NEV5 SELF-CLEANING SPRAY DEFLECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Self-cleaning spray deflectors have been employed on water sprinklers as represented by the deflector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,025, issued Mar. 14, 1967. The deflector there disclosed is a wedge-shaped member capable of limited pivotal movement on a shaft disposed in the path of water issuing from a sprinkler nozzle. In the prior construction, the wedge member is provided with a pair of circular passages converging from opposite sides of the deflector toward the shaft. This arrangement has functioned well and has met with commercial success.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved self-cleaning spray deflector and is summarized in the following objects:

First, to provide a self-cleaning spray device for sprinklers in which each side of the deflector wedge is provided with a slot gradually increasing in depth in the direction of water flow and finally intersecting the bore through which the mounting shaft extends so that particles entrained in the water tend to deflect from the exposed surface of the shaft rather than wedge between the shaft and deflector.

Second, to provide a device, as indicated in the preceding object, wherein the entrance slots are located in offset relation to the axis of the water stream so as to receive sufficient water to clean the shaft, yet not interfer with the impingement action of the water against the side of the deflector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a sprinkler embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, taken from 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the deflector in one extreme position.

FIG. 3 is a similar fragmentary view, showing the deflector in its other extreme position and showing the stop frame in section.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken through 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing the deflector in an extreme position corresponding to FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, corresponding to FIG. 4, but showing the deflector in the extreme position corresponding to FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an end view of the deflector.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the deflector, taken within Circle 7 of FIG. 5.

The sprinkler adapted for use of the self-cleaning spray deflector includes a stem 1, the lower end of which is screwthreaded for connection to a water supply line. A body 2 is rotatably mounted on the stem and is provided with a laterally and upwardly directed jet nozzle 3. Extending above the body is a frame 4 having a rectangular opening. A shaft 5 bisects the opening. Mounted on the shaft is an oscillatable drive member 6 which is urged in one direction by a spring 7.

The drive member includes a weight arm 8 extending horizontally past the frame 4 and a drive arm 9 extending laterally and upwardly in parallel relation to the axis of the jet nozzle 3. At its extremity, the drive arm is provided with a depending journal pin 10, which is movable with the arm across the path of the water stream issuing from the jet nozzle 3.

In order to effect oscillation, pivoted on the drive member 6 is a deflector wedge 11, having a bore 12 which forms a bearing for supporting the deflector wedge on the journal pin 10. A head 13 retains the deflector wedge on the journal pin. The deflector wedge is provided at opposite sides with deflector surfaces 14 which converge to a sharp edge toward the jet nozzle 3. The upper and lower margins of the deflector wedge are provided with parallel flanges 15 defining the upper and lower boundaries of the deflector surfaces 14.

The upper flange is provided with an essentially rectangular stop frame 16 having side walls which engage the sides of the drive member 6.

Operation of the sprinkler thus far described is as follows:

The stream of water issuing from the jet nozzle 3 strikes on one or the other of the deflector surfaces 14. The reaction produces a torsional force on the drive member 6 in opposition to the spring 7. The drive member rotates until the force of the spring overcomes the reaction force of the water stream whereupon the deflector wedge moves across the water stream and is deflected to its opposite extreme position. Simultaneously, the spring rotates the drive arm to its original position causing the sides of the drive member to strike the sides of the frame 4 and turn the body 2 a slight amount. Continued oscillation of the drive member causes the body 2 to rotate in increments and causes the spray to traverse a full circle.

It is essential to operation of the sprinkler that the deflector wedge 11 journal on the pin 10 as freely as possible. It has been found desirable that the deflector wedge be formed of plastic or other lightweight material having low inertia.

It is conventional practice to provide a loose fit between the journal bore 12 and pin 10 to insure free movement; however, it should be noted that sprinklers, by the nature of their use, are exposed and that between uses, they may be sprayed with mud and dirt. Even in use, the water supply is not filtered and therefore contains sand and silt. Still further, algae or minute insects may enter the bore 12 or accumulate at the axial extremities of the bore.

The situation is particularly acute when the sprinkler is first turned on. If the deflector wedge fails to function, the sprinkler will fail to rotate.

In the exercise of the present invention, the deflector wedge 11 is provided on opposite sides with opposing slots 17 which increase in depth as the wedge increases in width and finally intersect the bore 12. The slots 17 are preferably located below the axis of the water stream issuing from the nozzle 3 so that the main force of the water jet is not applied to the slots. This enables the water jet to effect oscillation of the deflector wedge virtually as if the slots were not present, yet sufficient water does enter the slots to effect a thorough washing of debris which may be initially on the deflector wedge 11 and pin 10, or carried there by the water.

Furthermore, by reason of the fact that the slots are at one side of the main water stream, most of the particles which may be entrained do not enter the slots. Those particles which do enter are deflected by the pin, or as indicated in FIG. 7, the rear edges of the slots 17 may be beveled as indicated by 18, in such a manner that the side of the pin 10 shields clearance space surrounding the pin.

The portion of the water entering the bore 12 flows axially so as to wash any accumulation at the axial extremities of the bore. Once the water has washed the space between the deflector wedge and the journal pin, the water continues to flow and functions as a lubricant to insure free movement of the deflector wedge during operation of the sprinkler.

While a particular embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the construction set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a rotatable sprinkler, including a sprinkler jet orifice and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of the jet orifice, the arm having at its extremity a journal pin movable in the path of water issuing from the jet orifice, of a water deflector comprising:

a. a wedge-shaped body having a bore journalled on the pin and opposed sides converging to an apex confronting the jet orifice and caused to oscillate by water issuing therefrom;

b. means for limiting the oscillating movement of the body;

c. the wedge sides of the body having a pair of opposed slots beginning adjacent the-apex end of the body and increasing in depth as the-body increases in width, the slots inter secting the bore to expose the shaft therein, the slots having laterally open sides throughout their lengths and positioned to receive a portion of the water issuing from the jet to lubricate the bore and wash the bore and slots free of deleterious matter.

2. A combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein: 5

a. the slots are offset from the axis of the jet orifice whereby the main portion of the water issuing therefrom flows on the surface of the wedge sides clear of the slots. 

1. The combination with a rotatable sprinkler, including a sprinkler jet orifice and an oscillatable arm projecting beyond and at one side of the jet orifice, the arm having at its extremity a journal pin movable in the path of water issuing from the jet orifice, of a water deflector comprising: a. a wedge-shaped body having a bore journalled on the pin and opposed sides converging to an apex confronting the jet orifice and caused to oscillate by water issuing therefrom; b. means for limiting the oscillating movement of the body; c. the wedge sides of the body having a pair of opposed slots beginning adjacent the apex end of the body and increasing in depth as the body increases in width, the slots intersecting the bore to expose the shaft therein, the slots having laterally open sides throughout their lengths and positioned to receive a portion of the water issuing from the jet to lubricate the bore and wash the bore and slots free of deleterious matter.
 2. A combination, as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the slots are offset from the axis of the jet orifice whereby the main portion of the water issuing therefrom flows on the surface of the wedge sides clear of the slots. 